2003 Drinking Water Quality Report

The following is part of the section of the 2003 Drinking Water Quality Report for MUD 167 dealing with radioactive contaminants:

**VIOLATION OF THE MCL’s FOR COMBINED RADIUM AND GROSS ALPHA PARTICLE ACTIVITY DURING 2003. The TCEQ collected grab samples of water from our public water system in February, June, September, and December 2002 to assess the system’s compliance with applicable TCEQ rules for radionuclides in drinking water. In April 2003, the Texas Department of Health (“TDH”) conducted radiological test on an aggregated composite of these four grab samples. We received a copy of the radiological test results from the TDH on April 23, 2003, at which time we determined that the test results for combined radium (for radium 226 only) and gross alpha particle activity exceeded the applicable MCLs of 5 pCi/l and 15 pCi/l, respectively, and thus constituted violations of State drinking water standards as of that time. Consequently, the duration of the violation has been from April 23, 2003 to the present. Notice of this initial finding was made to you on May 29, 2003, with quarterly updates provided to you in August 2003, November 2003, February 2004, and May 2004. We believe that the combined radium and gross alpha particle activity concentrations measured are naturally occurring as a result of localized geologic conditions resulting from the migration of groundwater across subsurface stratums containing elevated levels of radionuclides. We regret the occurrence of this naturally occurring condition and are working with the TCEQ to resolve this matter. Our current plans are to blend the water from the public water system with a reliable source, which, in this case is a new water well. Accordingly, we have authorized the District’s engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the new water well, which we refer to as Water Well No. 2. Preparation of the these plans and specifications is currently underway. We are tentatively planning to complete design of the new well in the third quarter of 2004 and commence well construction in the fourth quarter of 2004, with the well completed and operational sometime in 2005. The TCEQ is currently collecting grab samples of water from the public water system on a quarterly basis. These samples will be composited and analyzed in 2004 for combined radium and gross alpha particle activity. As noted by the TCEQ, this is not an emergency. However, you should know that people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of th MCL over many years have an increased risk of getting cancer. You should also know that some people who drink water containing radium 226 in excess of the MCL for combined radium over many years have an increased risk of getting cancer. As noted by the TCEQ, you do not need to use an alternative water supply. However, if you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how this may affect you. If you want more information about combined radium, gross alpha particle activity, or what we are doing in response to the violations arising, please contact Mr. Frank Garcia of Severn Trent Services, our water system operator, at (281) 578-4266.

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